Safety and Efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) and San Miao San Supplementation in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial

Authors: Edmund K. Li, Lai-Shan Tam, Chun Kwok Wong, Wai Ching Li, Christopher W. K. Lam, Sissi Wachtel-Galor, Iris F. F. Benzie, Yi Xi Bao, Ping Chung Leung, and Brian Tomlinson

Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatism

Study Design:

• Intervention: Ganoderma lucidum (4 g) and San Miao San (2.4 g) daily or placebo
• Participants: 65 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Duration: 24 weeks
• Outcome Measures:
  • American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20% response
  • Changes in ACR components (tender and swollen joint counts, patient and physician global assessments, pain, Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ] score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] or C-reactive protein [CRP] level)
  • Plasma levels and ex vivo-induced cytokines and chemokines
  • Oxidative stress markers

Summary: This study investigated the effects of Ganoderma lucidum and San Miao San (SMS), a traditional Chinese medicine combination, on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While the combination did not significantly improve disease activity compared to placebo, it did lead to significant improvements in pain scores and patient global assessments. There were no significant changes in inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers, or immune cell counts between the two groups. The combination was generally safe and well-tolerated. These findings suggest that Ganoderma lucidum and SMS may have analgesic effects in RA, but further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory effects.